ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the reader is introduced to:
the simple source, source of spherical waves and fundamental building block for acoustical analysis;
the dipole source, directional properties and modes of generation;
the quadrupole source, its various forms, directional properties and some modes of generation;
line sources and their uses for modelling;
the piston in an infinite wall, far–field and near–field properties, radiation load, and uses for modelling;
the incoherent plane radiator;
directional properties of sources and the concept of directivity;
effects of reflection;
radiation impedance of a source and what influences it;
the relation between sound power and sound pressure;
radiation field, near field and far field of a sound source;
sound power determination using sound intensity measurements, surface vibration measurements and sound pressure measurements, both in the laboratory and in the field; and
some uses of sound power information.
